A review by readlentless
The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i haven't been online much bc of this book series. it has consumed my entirety. i have been distressed, baffled, frustrated, and agitated bc of this series. it's both glorious and revolting— i can't even produce a coherent thought on how great this is. it evoked a wide spectrum of emotions in me, feelings that i didn't know i have char. every night after i read this, i always end up ruminating about the choices i have made (or am yet to make) and the ones i have not, reevaluating life, the life of my mom, my grandma, my female friends, every girl and women in my life— their past, their present and their future.

tl;dr this is my barbie, this is my joker, my roman empire.

the whole time i kept wishing for them to just run away and have a good life and forsake men and live to their fullest potential huhu it's so weird bc i always picture naples as idyllic springtime stone pavements ancient buildings overlooking azure seas lol but never the danger and poverty portrayed in this books. so many things resonated with me and i thought they're just like us...

aaaah im excited to watch the adaptation, im gonna cry buckets for sure

i have never read a book where female friendships are explored in such a way— very nuanced, layered, and profound. the things in it would not please you— it will make u livid but it's just so authentic. it taps on class difference/dynamics, pa triarchal community, mis 0gyny, girlhood, womanhood, and motherhood. the drama, the themes, the characters?? i cannot. it's the kind of book which has no definite plot— where nothing and everything seems to happen all at the same time. it continuously drove me mad.

this is adult anne of green gables but on steroids and if anne & diana have tons of generational trauma. so if u like hisfic/litfic, character-driven stories, exploration of girlhood, and a lot of angst— give this a try